The Laws of Attraction

7

I didn’t want to wake Riley when I got out of bed. It was fairly early, around 6:30 A.M. I moved rather slowly towards the bathroom to take a shower, and when I got out, Riley was sleeping with his butt in the air. I stifled a laughter as I repositioned him gently on his back and tucked him in with the blanket before making my way downstairs. The smell of freshly brewed coffee was lingering in the air but there was no sign of Jacob anywhere. 

As I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, my eyes caught the sight of a yellow post-it note sticking out on the fridge. I pulled it off while I fixed myself a glass of water, drinking it as I read the note. 

‘Coffee and bagel for you, oats for the kiddo. Left for my interview, will be back late from work- J’

“Do all Doctors write like this?” I asked myself, smiling at the note while I stuck it back on the fridge while I spun around, finding the pot of coffee that was still hot, there were two bagels with neatly sliced avocados, peppered. 

I pressed my lips together, suppressing a smile. It’s not every day you’d get a hunky doctor making you breakfast, don’t you? I gathered my hair into a bun as I poured myself some coffee into my mug and prepped the avocados on top of my bagels. Popping open the lid of my laptop, I began scrolling through a bunch of emails and messages I have gotten early this morning. 

There was a text from Madison saying she’d pick Riley up in another hour and I quickly typed a reply and I moved onto the next text from Nadia. I absentmindedly switched on the TV, not looking away from my phone as I read the next. Nadia was asking out for lunch with Sophie later today at Brussels, a local place that I absolutely loved. 

‘We are live here from CNN, today we have Professor Jacob Dankoff who’s a renowned Brain Surgeon who has recently moved to DC from San Fran a couple of days ago’

I looked up from my phone and saw the familiar man in black coat and slacks. His jaw was clean shaven and his hair combed (and probably blow dry professionally). I mentally squealed when I suddenly remembered today was his live interview. 

The news anchor exchanged some formalities and told the audience that Jacob was working at the biggest hospital in DC- Olympus. A little background about him being a brain surgeon and his recently published thesis on a new method of brain transplant. 

I noticed that Jacob was sitting straighter than a ruler with his hand clasped together and I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered what I taught him yesterday. I watched him nod with all seriousness and answered when he was supposed to, and throughout the entire interview, Jacob did not stutter and neither did he make his interviewer repeat himself. I felt like a proud mama hen at that moment. 

It was a 30 minute interview and I sat through the whole thing, although I was never a medical expert, but I did understand some terms here and there since Biology was one of my majors back in college. I had curled into a ball, my hand hugging my legs as I watched the interview come to an end and they shook hands and the news brought forward to the weather forecasts. I went back upstairs to find Riley sitting on the bed, his hair in a mess and he was rubbing his eyes.

“Good morning Aunt Rosie.” The toddler smiled cheekily as he wobbled, trying to stand up. “Good morning Riley, come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”

After I fed Riley his breakfast, the doorbell rang and Madison stood there at the door, cooing at her son who ran towards her. 

“Here, in repayment for a night’s worth of babysitting.”

“I’m not a baby anymore!” Riley whined while Madison pinched his cheeks.

“Maddy, I swear if my closet bursts open, it’s all on you.” I smiled, taking the Gucci and Burberry paper bags from her. “I just thought the coat suits you well, it’s their new fall collection series, there’s a Burberry satchel to match that.”

“And exactly where am I going to wear this to?” I pried open the paper bags and pulled out a box labelled Vera Wang on top, with a red ribbon tied around from one edge to the other. 

“On your date with Uncle Jacob!” Riley clapped his hands together. Madison raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows at me, with one hand on her hip—her signature pose when she caught onto something juicy. “Uncle Jacob?” she repeated.

“Riley!” I narrowed my eyes playfully at the little boy as he hugged his mom’s leg, giggling. “And that would be my roommate, Jacob.”

“What does he do?” she asks, still not satisfied with just a name given, she always wanted the deets. “He’s a doctor.”

“Wait hold on, please tell me it's’ that guy I saw on the news earlier, Jacob what was it?” She tapped her chin, racking her brain. I swear my memory sucks when I’m trying to remember something crucial.``

“Dankoff?” I offered, crossing my arms to my chest.

“Yes Dankoff is his name!”

“Are we playing Bingo now?” I drawled lazily which earned a quick smack from Madison.

“I didn’t know you watched the news, and why are you on your iPad whilst driving?”

“John surprised me, he came home early from his trip so he had me picked up.  He would come up but he’s just gotten an important call. Also, I may be a model but I still need to know what’s going on around me.” She paused and caught her breath. There are times when I just think Madison can probably hold her breath for 30 minutes underwater since she almost never pauses whilst talking, especially when she was excited about something. 

“Wow, he’s a brain surgeon huh?” she smiled genuinely. 

“Yes he is, and no please don’t go off planning my wedding in your head. He’s just my roommate and I’m pretty content with my life right now.” Lie.

“You know I already would.” She smiled, her eyes crinkling slightly and she looked at me with those eyes when she was about to be all sentimental.  “I’m just saying, it’s okay for you to start over and meet someone new, it’s been ages. A sexy hunk of a brain surgeon arriving at your doorstep asking to be your roommate? It’s like Christmas in August, Santa Baby indeed.” She wiggled her eyebrows

“Oh god, Maddy.” I groaned as I covered Riley’s ears from further mental torture from his mother’s choice of words. “It’s only been two years, two.”

“Two years of no physical touch from a man.” A look of horror crossed her face immediately as she covered her mouth. “How do you even live?” her jaw dropped.

“No this isn’t a green light for you to set me up on one of those blind dates with John’s friends or co-workers, it’s weird.”

She breathed out a long sigh, “All I’m saying is, you deserve someone good Rosie, don’t wait too long.” She pulled me in for a hug. 

“I know.” I forced a smile and I bent down to kiss Riley goodbye as I watched them walk towards the elevators with Riley still waving. I shut my door when they left and went back to the lounge area, putting on some music while I did the dishes I had left in the sink. My text ringtone dinged and after towelling the last dish dry, I picked the device up.

‘Admit it, my show was definitely better than Jimmy Kimmel’s’ 

I scoffed, finding myself smiling again as I headed back upstairs to get ready for my lunch with Nadia and Sophie. 

‘What show?’ I typed a quick reply, toying with him as I picked out my choice of clothing for lunch. I had to remind myself to dress warmly since it was late August and the weather wasn’t exactly sunny anymore. 

The notification sound went off once more.

‘Are you telling me you did not watch my show?!’

‘If I hadn’t, I don’t think you’d let me forget it. Also, you had an INTERVIEW, not a SHOW. There’s a difference.’

‘I was on TV so I get to call it whatever I want!’

‘Not exactly sure if I’d subscribe to a medical channel, anyways, Nadia invited me to lunch with Sophie.’

‘That sounds fun, have a great time. Also, I’m probably going to be late today, one of our staff just quit so it’s extra work for the whole department, have dinner without me’

‘Work smart, don’t come home with bloody sleeves again’

‘Ha ha Rosie. See you tonight’

My heart skipped a beat when I read his text, I had to re-read it to see if I was reading it wrong but stopped myself before I started overthinking again.  I undid the hair tie on my head and let down my hair, brushing my hands through it gently as I spritz some mist on my skin, patting it all around my face and staring into the mirror. My reflection stared right back at me, almost smiling, for whatever reason it may be, it may also be the one of the very few times I had a smile plastered on my face all day.

“Hello baby.” I cooed as I ran my hands around the steering wheel of my car and placed my cheek on it. “Did you miss me?” I asked. “I’m sorry I even had the slightest thought of selling you, never again.” I opened and closed my hands towards the passenger seat of my Audi. I pushed the button to start the engine, driving out of the parking lot. 

The weather outside was gloomy and dark but it was barely 12, even with the heater on , I pulled on the new coat Madison got me closer towards my body while I waited at the traffic light. From a distance, I could see the huge sceptre of Olympus hospital. Since Jacob was going to be back late, I’m guessing he wouldn’t have the time for dinner either, I made a mental note to order something in later tonight since I wanted to return the favour of him making breakfast for Riley and I, wait, was that too much?

The valet took over my car as I headed into the restaurant Brussels. Sophie bumped into me when she was rushing in when it started drizzling outside. “Rosie!” she said in surprise, pulling me into a side hug. “You just got here too?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeap, are we late?” I asked, checking my watch on my wrist. “I hope not, I don’t want to get mauled over by Nadia. She’s always punctual and almost never late.” she grins as we were both guided to our table by a waitress. Nadia was busily typing on her phone and when she looked up, she smiled, flashing her straight row of pearly whites. “You girls are right on time.” She says as she places her phone face down.

“Seafood cravings at the start of the week are so unlike you.” Sophie says as we take our seats. “Mark and I were watching Catch of the Day last night, where these bunch of men caught fresh fish and stuff, cleaning and cooking them on the spot. It kept me up all night and I have to have seafood, pronto.”

“Do you like seafood Rosie?” Nadia asked. 

“Like is an understatement, I love it. Also, Jacob was on TV this morning.” I said. “I know! Mark dragged me out of bed just to watch the news, I dozed off minutes later.” Sophie groaned as she took a sip of the complimentary lemon water. 

“I’m actually surprised how well he did that interview, considering that was his first time on TV. I mean, he was actually good.” Nadia said. “I’m guessing you taught him a thing or two huh?” Nadia added, smiling my way.

“Well, he did ask for suggestions.” I shrugged. “Really?” Sophie thought for a bit. “In all my years of knowing Jacob, that man has this tinge of arrogance to him, where he never asks people for their opinions whatsoever.”

“Well, then again, he is a brain surgeon. That man’s IQ is higher than a skyscraper.” Nadia shrugged. “Which Jacob is this again?” I asked and they laughed. “But in all honesty, sometimes I feel Jacob’s too smart to even ask questions, he’s like this know-it-all, it drives us crazy, but the men are totally fine with it” Sophie scrunched her nose. “But , eh..” she sighed. “We got used to it.” 

“So..” Nadia placed her chin in her hands, staring all googly eyed at me. “The other night we couldn’t have a proper conversation since the boys were around, but now that it’s just us..” she trailed. “Alright, what do you want to know?” I smiled at the two women in front of me.

“We invited you out for lunch because we wanted to get to know you better.”

I was taken aback a tiny bit since I was expecting questions like ‘How’s living with Jacob?’ or ‘Have you seen him shirtless yet?’ or ‘Has anything happened between the both of you?’ They really did catch me off guard.

I opened and closed my mouth, unsure of what to say just yet. “Are we freaking you out?” Sophie asked me sheepishly. I instinctively shook my head. “Of course not.” I managed a smile. 

“We’ve followed our partners to another state and frankly this place is still new to us. And when Daniel had informed us that Jacob was bringing someone along, specifically a girl, we were excited since we don’t know anyone but each other here in DC.”

“When we met you the other night at dinner, Sophie and I just had a feeling that we’re going to be fast friends.” Nadia looked at Sophie who nodded enthusiastically, then turned to look at me.

“Wow.” I breathed, smiling. “Who knew accidentally answering a call meant for Jacob would earn me new girl friends?”

Short to say, that was the best seafood meal I had in a long time. Nadia had to go back to work while Sophie and I lingered around town for a little while longer and I had brought her for some pastries and coffee for tea time. At lunch, I found out that Sophie had applied to the airlines company here in DC months ago and was still waiting for a call back while Nadia had her company in few locations, including DC, so it was a rather easy process for her; from our conversation earlier, I also understood that these two women left their families and friends back in San Fran, dropped everything they had and followed their partners to a new state, settling in all over again. Hence, it explained why they were so keen on meeting me even before I arrived.

“I’m so glad we met today, and thank you for bringing me around Rosie, I really appreciate it.” Sophie beamed as she waved when the valet arrived with our cars. “Anytime Soph, you’re more than welcome to come over to my place.”

“Oh we definitely will, also, I’m having a little house warming party this Saturday, just the 6 of us, do come on over for dinner okay?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I got home around five thirty that evening, slamming the heavy door behind me. I balanced myself on one heel as I proceeded to undo the metal buckle on the other while putting pressure on my other knee, groaning. “Stupid buckles and heels, who even invents s**t like this, and why am I even wearing these for crying out loud.” 

Balancing myself with one hand against the cabinet while I looked down to my heel. “My loneliness...is killing me…” I used my best nasally voice I could muster, “And I…I must confess I, I still believe,..” I sucked in a deep breath and sang the echo part of my own.

“Your god awful voice makes me not want to.”

I screamed and I swung my hand as an immediate instinct, bag, coat and all. “f**k, ouch, woman!” I heard him groan. Did I forget to mention I lost my balance and fell backward but I felt arms encircling my waist as we both fell to the ground with a loud thud, my feet hanging in the air. “Yay my heel is out.” I cried.

“And I’m buried 6 feet underground.” Jacob groaned in agony.

“Oh shit.” I immediately rolled off his rock hard body and I saw Jacob clutching his nose, there was blood seeping through his fingers and landing on his sleeves. “Do you keep rocks in your bag?”” he asked.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, are you alright?” I asked, gently touching his nose. “Do I look alright to you?” He groaned and sniffed. 

“Well at least its’ not blue black.” I winced and that earned me a glare. “I’ll be back with an ice pack.”

“You’ve got 5 seconds.” He warned.

“Jesus Jacob! You said you weren’t gonna be home till late.” I said, running back to him with an ice pack. He was now seated on the couch, laying his head back. 

“My surgery was delayed till tomorrow morning at 4 A.M., I thought I’d come home for an early dinner and a nap.” He now removed his hands from his nose. 

“Does it still hurt?” I asked, after placing the ice pack on his nose for a while now.

“Nope, but that lethal hit back there is more than enough to keep me awake throughout my surgery later.” He managed a smile and I looked at his sleeves. “Didn’t I tell you not to come home with blood on your sleeves?” I suppress a smile when I watched him narrow his eyes at me. “Very funny Rosie.”

“Let me make you dinner okay? Since I destroyed your nose job.” I snickered. His jaw dropped as he watched me sashayed my way into the kitchen.  

“I’m burning that bag of yours.”